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Torrey is a tiny town in south-central Utah that is a gateway to some of the state's most robust outdoor adventures. What the town lacks in population --- 171 was the official count as of 2011 --- it makes up for in scenic vistas, pristine wilderness and backcountry adventures. In fact, most of the town's activities take place outside its borders.

Capitol Reef National Park

Torrey's main claim to fame is that it is a gateway town to Capitol Reef National Park (nps.gov/care), the most central of Utah's five national parks. Capitol Reef, located 8 miles from Torrey, is named after a 100-mile monocline called the Waterpocket Fold that resembles a reef. In addition to this interesting structure, visitors will find sandstone monoliths, otherworldly rock formations and sweeping views. Park activities include rock climbing, hiking, backpacking, camping and mountain biking.

Boulder Mountain

While it doesn't quite have the panache of a national park, Boulder Mountain is another popular outdoor recreation located in the Torrey area. The 11,000-foot wooded plateau is part of Dixie National Forest and offers hiking, numerous lakes for trout-fishing and camping. Boulder Mountain affords visitors diverse views of red rock cliffs and canyons, as well as of thick forests and serene lakes.

All-American Road

Highway 12 is the only All-American Road in Utah. The scenic byway connects Capitol Reef National Park with an even more popular, iconic park: Bryce Canyon National Park. Along the way, you'll pass through public lands like Dixie National Forest and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and past state parks like Escalante Petrified Forest and Kodachrome Basin. You'll also be treated to numerous lookout points lending views of towering cliffs, diving canyons and rock formations colored in reds, oranges, creams and pinks. The Utah section of this scenic byway is 124 miles long.

In-Town Activities

Though visitors to Torrey will find it hard to resist the allure of the surrounding wilderness, there are some reasons to spend a day or two in town. The Torrey Gallery (torreygallery.com) displays and sells art, photography, Navajo rugs and other local wares. Robber's Roost Bookstore (robbersroostbooks.com) sells local books, maps, crafts, pottery and other goods. Restaurants include Cafe Diablo (cafediablo.net), a southwestern restaurant, and Rim Rock Restaurant (therimrock.net), a Western-themed restaurant with views of Capitol Reef.

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About the Author

Joe Fletcher has been a writer since 2002, starting his career in politics and legislation. He has written travel and outdoor recreation articles for a variety of print and online publications, including "Rocky Mountain Magazine" and "Bomb Snow." He received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Rutgers College.